2014 Omaha Storm Chasers

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:53 am

They are averaging their biggest crowds in since the early 90's. I'm not sure there is a more abused fan base than the Royals (I am a diehard Royals fan).

Just off the top of my head:

94 strike year. Royals were playing their best baseball since 85. They had a double digit win streak just before the strike. My money would have been on a Montreal KC World Series. I don't think any franchises were hurt more than KC and Montreal that year.

Ewing Kauffman, beloved owner of the Royals dies. The team immediately slashed payroll coming out of the strike and went without an owner for years.

David Glass comes in an screws everything up. Spends little money on amateur draft (after first few rounds routinely only drafts college seniors and offers them 1k signing bonuses). KC slashes scouting and development. Has little to no presence in latin America. They even go cheap on promotions. There were years they would not even spring for uniforms for the annual salute to the negro leagues game (huge in KC).

Supposedly when Carlos Beltran was hitting free agency, he offered to sign against agents wishes for way below market. KC lowballed him and lost the deal over a difference of only $1 million.

They were so bad they had to keep promoting players from AA to KC, long before they were ready.

Things have improved under Dayton Moore. He got assurances that money would be invested and it has. Tons of money into latin America, the amateur draft (when it did not have the cap), more scouts, bigger front office, and record payrolls.

That being said, supposedly this year in July, it was reported off the record by many other sources, that when KC was trying to upgrade at the deadline, their ownership declined to take on any additional payroll. It's hard to go all in on your team when stuff like this keeps coming up. Once they got hot in August, then they got the OK to add again.

They are drawing big crowds on the weekend. (also check out the crowds of 1st place Orioles durng the week, and they've had a lot more recent success than KC).

KC also had the biggest jump in ticket prices this year, coming off a season where they finally got above .500. That was risky.

If I lived there, I'd be at the games, but I totally understand the dynamics.

Their TV ratings the last 2 years are also off the charts. This summer, the Royals ratings were higher than anything else in KC, including network primetime shows.

Greg

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:08 am

Greg S wrote:They are averaging their biggest crowds in since the early 90's. I'm not sure there is a more abused fan base than the Royals (I am a diehard Royals fan).

Just off the top of my head:

94 strike year. Royals were playing their best baseball since 85. They had a double digit win streak just before the strike. My money would have been on a Montreal KC World Series. I don't think any franchises were hurt more than KC and Montreal that year.

Ewing Kauffman, beloved owner of the Royals dies. The team immediately slashed payroll coming out of the strike and went without an owner for years.

David Glass comes in an screws everything up. Spends little money on amateur draft (after first few rounds routinely only drafts college seniors and offers them 1k signing bonuses). KC slashes scouting and development. Has little to no presence in latin America. They even go cheap on promotions. There were years they would not even spring for uniforms for the annual salute to the negro leagues game (huge in KC).

Supposedly when Carlos Beltran was hitting free agency, he offered to sign against agents wishes for way below market. KC lowballed him and lost the deal over a difference of only $1 million.

They were so bad they had to keep promoting players from AA to KC, long before they were ready.

Things have improved under Dayton Moore. He got assurances that money would be invested and it has. Tons of money into latin America, the amateur draft (when it did not have the cap), more scouts, bigger front office, and record payrolls.

That being said, supposedly this year in July, it was reported off the record by many other sources, that when KC was trying to upgrade at the deadline, their ownership declined to take on any additional payroll. It's hard to go all in on your team when stuff like this keeps coming up. Once they got hot in August, then they got the OK to add again.

They are drawing big crowds on the weekend. (also check out the crowds of 1st place Orioles durng the week, and they've had a lot more recent success than KC).

KC also had the biggest jump in ticket prices this year, coming off a season where they finally got above .500. That was risky.

If I lived there, I'd be at the games, but I totally understand the dynamics.

Their TV ratings the last 2 years are also off the charts. This summer, the Royals ratings were higher than anything else in KC, including network primetime shows.

Greg

Good summary. The fans do not owe them anything, it needs to be earned. Are they earning it now, I think so, but they have a big hole to fill.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:10 am

Thanks. Also I believe the Royals have the longest playoff drought of any team, in any of the 4 major sports.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:28 pm

Co Spgs 2
Omaha 7

OKC 74-66
Omaha 72-67 -1.5 (elim. #3)

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:05 pm

Hosmer will be in Omaha for this last series.

Post by **Coyote** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:48 pm

CO Spgs 2
Omaha 6

Post by **Coyote** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 12:34 am

OKC 4
Iowa 5 (11)

OKC 74-67
Omaha 73-67
Iowa 71-70
CO Spgs 53-89

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 1:24 am

CO Spgs 9
Omaha 10

OKC 0
Iowa 3

Omaha 74-67
OKC 74-68
Iowa 72-70
CO Spgs 53-90

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 4:33 pm

Thanks Iowa!!!

OKC 8
Iowa 11

Omaha 74-67
OKC 74-69
Iowa 73-10
CO Spgs 53-90

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 4:47 pm

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:55 pm

Is tonight the game to clinch a playoff birth?

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:29 pm

guitarguy wrote:Is tonight the game to clinch a playoff birth?

if they play the game... Lots of weather in the area.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:48 pm

Storms chased away, game is on...

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 11:24 pm

Giavotella homers in the bottom of the 5th and the Royals retake the lead 4-1

followed by a Hosmer HR, now 5-1

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:17 am

9 outs away from their fourth straight division title, Chasers lead 8-2

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:22 am

Omaha Storm Chasers - Division Champions - Fourth Straight Year!

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:37 am

It's too bad the weather was the way it was. They sold almost 7000 tickets for last nights game and there my have been 200 people there at 1:30 am this morning to see them clinch it...

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:10 pm

Also, Kansas City called up five guys off the chaser staff last night after the game for the expanded postseason roster. Could be an interesting post season with the lineup it's left.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:31 pm

Apparently KC hasn't announced that yet, but it should be any min now.

Also, there is a 3:15 curfew on today's game. No innings will start after 3:15. Colorado Springs has a 5:30 flight.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:29 pm

Coyote wrote:Omaha Storm Chasers - Division Champions - Fourth Straight Year!

Great to hear!

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:35 pm

Amazing final weekend run to the playoffs, 2nd year in a row. Will be an interesting lineup for Wednesday's game with all of KC's call ups. Great crowd today for final regular season game of the year.

Greg

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:02 pm

Also, Royals had 31k, 35k and 39k for their games this weekend.

Greg

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:16 pm

Brad wrote:Apparently KC hasn't announced that yet, but it should be any min now.

Also, there is a 3:15 curfew on today's game. No innings will start after 3:15. Colorado Springs has a 5:30 flight.

They were naming names on the radio broadcast Sun night as I was listing driving back from the State Fair. Not sure but I don't think they were all from Omaha and a couple were from lower level

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:11 pm

Combo of Omaha and NW Arkansas players. Also other NW Arkansas players coming to Omaha to fill the void for our playoff roster. Colon and Crow were two from NW Arkansas but they weren't really NW Ark players, KC sent them down for a few days knowing they could bring them back today because NW was not making playoffs. In Omaha they would have had to stay for 10 days since our season is still going by making playoffs.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:24 pm

Giavotella's name was mentioned, as well as sluggers, 1/3 of our HR's are gone.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:37 pm

I heard they also called up their first round pick this year. A pitcher from TCU. I wonder if Nyone has ever played in the CWS and the MLB playoffs in the same season?

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:48 pm

Yep Finnegan. My understanding is he got called up in time to be eligible to play in the post season. He's going to be a lefty out of the bullpen for them.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:26 pm

09/01/14 Transactions wrote: Kansas City Royals selected the contract of LF Carlos Peguero from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals selected the contract of LHP Brandon Finnegan from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals recalled Casey Coleman from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Francisco Pena from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Johnny Giavotella from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled CF Lane Adams from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals activated 1B Eric Hosmer from the 15-day disabled list.
Kansas City Royals designated LHP Chris Dwyer for assignment.
Kansas City Royals designated RHP Blake Wood for assignment.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:54 am

Kyle Zimmer, Royals 2012 first round pick promoted to Omaha for the playoffs.

Greg

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 1:40 pm

J Bonafacio added to Omaha now for playoffs. With Binford added as well, Omaha now has 4 of KC's top ten prospects according to Baseball America. The four, Cuthbert, Zimmer, Bonafacio, and Binford.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:43 pm

Memphis 0
Omaha 7

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 8:04 am

Wow, very impressive first game.

Greg

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 8:06 am

I think I just heard on the radio that if they make the championship series they would only be the 2nd PCL team to make it 4 consecutive years.

Post by **Coyote** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:09 pm

Game Three
Omaha 2
Memphis 0

Post by **Coyote** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:12 am

Shields was a beast today going 8.1 as KC shuts out the Yankees 1-0.
KC is 17 over .500 for the first time since 1989.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:59 pm

Chasers beat Memphis 6-2...win series 3-1!!!

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:01 pm

Awww Yeah! So happy to see the teaming doing this well after half the roster being called up!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:03 pm

So I am not quite sure how the playoffs work. Does that make them PCL champs and then they advance to the AAA championship?

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:19 pm

Omaha will now face Reno or Las Vegas in a best of 5 PCL Championship series....the winner of that faces the International League champ in a one game AAA national championship, though I am not sure where that is played.

Post by **Coyote** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:23 pm

American Conference PCL Champions - to play winner of Pacific Conference winner - Reno vs Las Vegas for the PCL Title